The 8 km underground line between Thirumangalam and Nehru Park has seven stations, which are connected to the elevated
corridors through a ramp between Thirumangalam and Koyambedu.

Several residents from Thirumangalam and surrounding areas were among the passengers on the first train.

Areas like Kilpauk, New Avadi Road, Shenoy Nagar and Anna Nagar now get the metro train faciilty.

The maximum fare has increased to Rs 60 for the 17-km stretch from Nehru Park to Chennai airport. Metro fares now ranged between 10 and 50 for the general class and 20 and 100 for the special class.

This is the the third Metro stretch to be activated since operations began in 2012.

The present routes from Koyambedu to Alandur and Little Mount to Chennai airport are on an elevated track.

Naidu said 7.75 lakh people would travel by Chennai Metro after phase I project is completed. Naidu offered floral tribute to late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, and said the project was her dream. "We miss her", he added.

The Union Government would consider the Tamil Nadu Government request for expansion of the metro rail project, through the
second phase covering over 100 km, Naidu said.

Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy urged the Centre to sanction the second phase for 103 kms at a cost of Rs 85,047 crore,
covering three corridors Madhavaram-Sirusery, Madhavaram-Sozhinganallur, Koyambedu-Light House.

Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan, several Tamil Nadu ministers, MPs and MLAs took part in the function.